iainfisher.com
Savage Messiah: Ken Russell => Savage Messiah: Ken Russell => Topic started by: spasmo on April 02, 2008, 09:45:19 AM
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In my opinion, this man had great talents and was wonderful as the lead in Savage Messiah. What happened to him? His only other major effort was a Tony Richardson film (Dead Cert) in 1974...
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I've wondered what happened to Scott Anthony too! Besides SAVAGE MESSIAH and DEAD CERT, the only other film I can find him in is THE MUTATIONS with Donald Pleasance where he has a completely thankless role. Only Ken gave him a proper showcase for his talents
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Not only Scott Anthony . . . (IMHO) one of Ken's strengths is the performance he gets out of his actors. Here are some of those who gave their best in one of Ken's films.
"Lair of the White Worm"
Amanda Donohoe
Chris Pitt
"Salome's Last Dance"
Imogene Millais-Scott
"The Boy Friend"
Twiggy
"Women in Love"
Glenda Jackson.
While she has appeared in about 29 theatrical films, she has earned only two Oscars. One of them for her performance in Russell's "Women in Love."
And Oliver Reed. While he has given strong performances in the films of other directors, some of his best work is in the films he made with Russell.
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Glenda Jackson.
While she has appeared in about 29 theatrical films, she has earned only two Oscars. One of them for her performance in Russell's "Women in Love."
Two Oscars is a lot!!! She is there alongside Brando.
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It would be good to hear more of Scott Antony. I understand that he lives in the UK but has long abandoned acting.
Imogen Millais Scott had a lot of health problems. In Salome she was almost blind- in one scene when she picks something from a table you can see she is using her hand to find the object. She was also too frail to do the actual dance. But good news on her health:
https://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/newsroom/life_stories/story.jsp?id=36
I also liked Alita Naugton from French Dressing. She also did nothing after Ken.
Iain
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I often see Imogen, however, I have only just found out about her career. Her illness has devastated a promising talent.
Next time I see her, I just going to hug her.
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I'd love to interview her for the site, I think she was stunning in Salome.
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Further to questions about Scott Antony.
He was a leading graduate of RADA , subsequently appearing in a number of theatre productions including a Shakespeare. His screen appearences are in the Savage Messiah Directed by ken Russell, Dead Cert Directed by the famous Tony Richardson, and Mutations directed by Jack Cardiff ( who had directed Girl on a Motorcycle and been previously associated with Michael Powell's films ). Sadily none of these films are currently available in the Uk on DVD.
His other Tv work includes the lead 'Cheri' in collets ' Cheri' a black and white classic BBC Tv series directed by Claude Whadham who also Directed 'Shallows and Amazons' , and as one of the leads in the BBC series 'Angels' .
None of this BBC material is available on DVD.
In the later 1970's Scott was involved in corporate videos partnering a company involved in the production. He Directed an arts centre in Gloucester City which was argueably almost a cultural desert before his arts trust developed.
he innovated arts initatives such as arts cabaret in Gloucester park , outreach arts workers to work within communities and community organisations, a whole variety of arts based workshops one of which produced a short film in which he featured, a playwagon which took inflatable large tools/castles around playschemes and live events, etc. this dynamic organisation featured as part of the gloucester tourism strategy and was in an episode of then popular ITV programme Stars on Sunday.
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I want to thank edenjon for providing that information about Scott Antony. Actors like Scott Antony have their moment in the spotlight, then seem to fade from view, especially if they leave acting and go into some other field of endeavor. Thus, it is nice to know what happened to Antony, and that he seems to have some success after he had left acting.
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Further to the reply. Scott Antony was the innovative Director of Gloucester Arts from approx 1980 to approx 86. In which he opened up arts provision in the City and sought to develop it in the County. He both implemented and campaigned for arts provision within the City , producing a City Arts strategy which was presented to the Borough Council. He also encouraged the County Council to develop an arts budget and strategy, but the Chairman of the County Leisure Committee and Council were at that time unresponsive. Ironically the facilities he had campaigned for such as the Guildhall Arts Centre and God's Theatre weakened his own Trusts funding position with the Council. His Trust found the City Council managed facility favoured over his independent Trust which closed due to lack of local authority funding. However many of the arts initiatives of today in Gloucester can be traced or attributed to his work in this period. In addition he stimulated arts interests within Schools and local colleges including an innovative contribution to a TVEI education programme.
He subsequently developed and is a partner of a national Kitchen Design and Tr aiming organisation , in which he also presents accredited courses.
At the last Edinburgh Film Festival Ken Russell suggested Scott Antony had vanished, this is not quite so. He retains membership of Equity the Actors Union. In addition apart from being a good friend he has always been helpful in his advice to myself as an entertainer and actor , and an actress friend of mine. He retains an active interest in the arts and drama , and is remarkably preserved in appearance apart from white hair.
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Regards Kevins message : 'Actor's like Scott Antony have their moment in the spotlight '.
At the Rain Dance Film Festival several years ago which also showed 'The Savage Messiah' , Ken Russell described Scott Antony as having something distinctive and unique . I would concer with this assessment. He demonstrated a creative intelligence, physical theatre skills and a good capacity for spontaneous improvisation.
I understand Ken had someone else in mind for the lead in the Savage Messiah until Scott auditioned.
Desbite the films arguable initial low key premiere and limited release , plus its few TV and arthouse screenings it has always engaged the audience. The spotlight has therefore been whenever the film is screened .
Scotts physical theatre skills expressed with exuberance though criticised by some as over the top , is none the less engaging to watch. Not least for its improvised unpredictable spontaneity. Interestingly the most powerful moments are in the closing section without his presence as that void of energy is evident. The casting is close to perfection with a repertory company of character relationships creating a synergy throughout the film. All the cast perfectly characterize the technical skills of reaction , mood and emotion. Theres also of course a debut by the young Helen Mirren.
In the TV Film/series ' Cheri ' Scott demonstrated his technical skills in classical acting while also showing the way an actor can use levels of energy, in a contrast to ' The Savage Messiah ' he presents a character evidently holding his energy in during a scene where a vase is broken. The production is of sufficient quality for an American University to have a copy for use in their English literature studies.
Moreover Scott was active in the 1970's decade in Film, TV and Theatre . Among his theatre performances he was directed in 1976 by the famous David Thompson in Moliere ' Tartuffe' starring opposite Leonard Rossiter ( of Rising Damp , etc ) which received critical praise.
Allegedly he became bored and dis satisfied with the predictability of the Angels TV series, but where ever he was given creative material he excelled.
That abundant creativity was also evident in his notable community arts educational and developmental work in the 1980's.
Although otherwise engaged at the moment, he has retained Equity membership and never formally retired or ruled out returning to drama for any creative and interesting projects.
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I didn't know about Dead Cert with Scott Antony (and Judi Dench). It is available as an American region DVD. I just ordered it, have to wait a couple of weeks for it to cross the ocean then I can see it!!!!
I agree about his creative intelligence and physical theatre skills. In Savage Messiah he created a role and you could never imagine anyone else in the role.
Iain
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I just got it, played it a bit but not yet all of it. Great to see Scott Antony again.
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Warner Brothers are finally releasing 'The Savage Messiah ' on DVD from 4th December this year. Previw clips are on its Warner Brothers Shop site , You Tube and other providers.
in its promotional publicity its describes Dorothy Tutin and Scott Antony as theatre actors. It is true of course that both did excellent theatre work. Dorothy Tutin , also did excellent screen performances in ' Cromwell ' , ' The Shooting Party ' , ' The Importance of being Ernest ' , etc. While her Tv work included ' The Six wivies of Henry the Eigth ' , ' Play for Today ' etc. An outstand actress with a broad range.
Scott Antony also had a respectable Theatre career, but his screen work is also represented in ' Dead Cert ' Directed by the famous Tony Richardson , and although somtimes derided the Hammer style flick ' The Mutations ' ( a favourite of late nite film clubs ) directed at the tail end of his career by Jack Cardiff . Scott's Tv career included series work in ' So it Goes' , the BBC Classic series ' Cheri ' ( as a brilliant lead ) directed by the famous Claude Whadham , and ' Angels ' . In addition to episodic Tv in dramas like ' The Sweeney ' . In the mid eigthies he was significant in the arts sector , followed by other creative projects. In more recent years his personal project has been creating photographic short traveloge films of overseas destinations , which the view of others and myself have artistic merit . Some of these are likely tpo be shown at two London based film festivals this year.
Im disappointed that at this stage Warner Brothers have not informed Scott Antony of the release of ' The Savage Messiah ' on DVD or its promotional details. The Savage Messiah is a part of British film history and deserrves recognition for all involved in it including its lead. Scott could be contacted through his many friends in the business or official channels
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Warner Brothers released the DVD of ' The Savage Messiah ' on April 12Th , this year apologies for any recent confusion. Currently for exclusive release in the United States region one , its distribution by Warner Brothers outside the United States and into region two is subject to distribution agreements.
However Warnerr Brothers are to be congratulated for this belated release of a classic gem of British cinema , a must be seen before you die movie. Its sterling performances, excellent direction, and set locations all on a relatively small budget recommends it into one of best 100 films ever made categories . In its marketing though Warner's refer to the leads as best known for their Theatre acting. Yet both Scott Antony and Dorothy Tutin had additional high profiles in Tv and Film. Dorothy's dramatic career covered over four decades to detailed to mention fully here , but her cannon of significant roles are all worth watching. Particularly recommended are ' The Importance of Being Earnest ' ( 1952 ) as Cecily Cardew , ' The Beggars Opera ' ( 1953 ) , ' A Tail of Two Cities ' ( 1958 ) as Lucie Manette , ' Cromwell ' ( 1970 ) as Queen Henrietta Maria , ' The Shooting Party' ( 1994 ), and the sequel to ' Gone with the Wind ' called ' Scarlet' as Lady Fenton. While her Tv highlights include BBC' s excellent ' Play for Today ' , ' Vienna 1900 ' as Beate Heinold , and ' the Six Wives of Henry the VIII ' as Anne Boleyn . All representing a benchmark standard of acting for actresses.
Clearly her co star in ' The Savage Messiah ' , Scott Antony needed a gravitas of skills and ability to work in unison with her , which he demonstrates excellently. Scott's screen credits are in addition to ' The Savage Messiah ' , ' Dead Cert ' Directed by Tony Richardson ( 1974 ) , the sometimes derided ' Mutations ' directed by Jack Cardiff , and his Tv work included the classic BBC Tv series ' Cheri' ( 1973 ) directed by Claude Whatham as the lead Cheri ( starring opposite Yvonne Mitchell ) , Tv series ' So it Goes ' ( 1973 ) as Eric Snow , and the Tv series ' Angels' ( 1976 ) as Frank Rustler ( starring opposite Fiona Fullerton ) . He also appeared across the decade in episodic Tv , notably in ' Between the Wars ' ( 1973 ) as Henry Abbot ( The Sliver Mask episode ) , in between Theatre work which included performing in the Stratford on Avon area , and notably performing in David Thompson's translation of Moliere's play ' Tartuffe ' at London's Greenwich Theatre ( 1976 ) also directed by David Thompson ( notable for his later associations with New York Broadway productions ) , Scott starred opposite Lenard Rossiter ( of Tv's Rising Damp, etc ) . Scott 's dramatic career beginning as a RADA graduate spanned the 1970's into the early 1980's including involvement in a video production company which produced corporate artistic productions. Its clear both Dorothy Tutin and Scott Antony deserve full recognition for their careers.
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I worked briefly, but memorably, with Scott Antony on a film in 1974, titled Terminus. The film - 16mm, B&W, 20 minutes long, financed to the tune of £360.00 by the Yorkshire Arts Association - then run by the magnificent Nina Hibben - was shot in Sheffield. The script, which I wrote wasn't bad. But I was inexperienced, arrogant and had bit off more than I could chew. I was not a good director. (I was later to prove so conclusively and with profound incompetence with my first (and last) feature film, Psychotherapy.
Meantime, having stumbled across this website I am very glad that Scott Antony is, and has been an active man. Whatever he got involved in, whatever he remains involved in, I have no doubt it is supported by a high degree of integrity. If you read this Scott - many thanks for your help and participation. Sorry I told you to f**k off. Glad you didn't.
Take care - Arthur E.
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Arthur,
Superb, I didn't know this about Scott Antony. Tell us more please:
- any way to watch the films?
- how did you and Scott get together?
- what was it like working with Scott- your honesty makes your insight more valuable
- tell us about Psychotherapy
I'll pass on your message if and when I interview him.
Thanks
Iain
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Hello Iain,
I met Scott via a film studies tutor called Bill Beech, based in Sheffield, who knew Scott, and asked him, at my bequest, if he would have a read of the script with a view to making the film. The film, a two hander, mostly located in a British Rail buffet, sees Scott's character killing time while waiting for a delayed train by patronising a vagrant (played with an upper crust accent by Anthony Woodruff, who had worked, impressively, on A Warm December, directed by Sidney Poitier)
When Scott's character's (he didn't have a name) train was cancelled he manipulated the old man outside and bottled him. Film was about 20 minutes long. I used it as my submission to gain entry into the then National Film School. I think I might have a print of it somewhere. Perhaps it's a work print. Not certain. The ending (the bottling) wasn't affordable. Also, by which time, Scott had decamped. So I think I shot some stills alluding to it and inserted those.
As for Psychotherapy (to become Don't Get Me Started) I cracked up on it, about nine days into the Germnan shoot. I was always prone to crack-ups. So the film ended up being a film about mental illness being made by someone in the grip of it. It was and remains unreleasable. Perhaps it would be a hit on the Rampton Special Hospital circuit. It was only in January (2011) that I knew I was over the experience, and might take a measure of pride in such a grand failure. Hence why I feel able to write a book featuring the experience, and trying to trace the origins of what struck me down.
Hope this is of some interest. If you know where Scott is, please pass onto him my regards - and email.
Take care,
Arthur
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The creative multi talented Scott Antony, was always more than an actor. An individual with a broad variety of the arts interests be it the performing arts , visual arts exhibitions , photography , film and creative literature.
In the last decade his interests in travel photography been expressed through extensive travel to countries such as Vietnam , the Andes , Peru and Machu Puchu, the Canadian Rockies , Vancouver Island , Salspring Island , Alaska , Central Italy and Italian art and cultural sites , Spains Iconic arts and cultural venues, Malta, and the Western Islands of Scotland.
Composed in photographic short film travelogues with music as a narrative , they express an accute sense of observation with a rich appreciation of natural lights to compose the pictures. The sequence of stills paradoxically create a moving journey illustrated significantly by his five minute film of Condors in the Andes. Their flight is captured in a series of frames that ascend and descent against the changing natural lights of the mountains. While his short of Machu Puchu is a journey top and tailed by train jtravel at dawns arrival and a departure at dusk. In between the size, scale and altitude of the settlement is explored against the sense of time cast by shadows which illustrate the progressing hours. Against this the colours of the mountain hues change as the sun gradually descends.
His film of Vancouver Island expresses a feeling of isolation on a bleak rainy day for a small settlement of wooden houses with no apparent .activity But as a frame by frame shot moves towards a window , a picture clears to show an observer gazing back, Another engaging series of shots pictures show colourful wild birds flying around colourful caged birds on a wooden porch.
A journey through Central Italy illustrates a travelogue sequence of shots like an unfolding journey within this short film. The cultural icons are ilustrated as living environments with streets reflecting the colour of washing and flowerboxes. His artistic interests are also colourfully illustrated in the way the films travel through moasics and paintings not as static features but as part of a creative journey.
To date Scott Antony has created 18 short travelogue films , which are appreciated where ever they are seen, He says of his work ' My aim is to try and capture the sense of place as I found it , not as a record of what was seen , but to share the experience felt. And for me a still image lets the moment linger longer more profoundly , all the more so when steeped in sound. I'd like to think that the things we learn to love and appreciate in life each other and the World around us are pretty universal , some of which I've tried to conjure ' .
Scott Antony will once again be at London's Portobello Film Festival , this September to personally present three of his most recent shorts , the first a five minute lyrical piece of poetic photography illustrating a colourful rose garden in Spain, the second a composite picture of Malta inspired by the landing of St Paul and subsequent foundation of iconic Churches, and third film his most appreciated ten minute travelogue of Machu Puchu.
Thanks to festival sponsors admission is free of charge to the screenings at the Westbourne Studios, 242 Ackland Road, Nottinghill, London ( Tube Ladbroke Grove ) on Thursday September 13th 2012 doors open 630pm for 7 pm screening
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Having seen and loved Savage Messiah many years ago I always felt it was a wonderful performance from Scott and it is without doubt my all time favourite film. Like many people I did wonder what happened to him as I didn't see him after the mid 70's and I was delighted to discover that Scott's more recent work as a photographer/short film maker can be found on the website VIMEO.
I was fortunate enough to meet Scott at the Portobello film festival in London this week, this was a lovely experience for me and we chatted for quite quite a while. I know Scott went on to do other things in the arts following his acting career but I honestly feel that true recognition for Savage Messiah and Cheri are long over due.
I would say have a look a Vimeo and enjoy!
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I couldn't make the festival this time, but his films are well worth watching. And his role in Savage Messiah was so good, his acting and the film itself are very underrated.
He is also a very nice modest person.
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Scott Antony , has just had a successful wel attended screening of his photo travelogue short films at the Gloucestershire Short Film Festival last Saturday June 1st. Screened at the historic Greyfriars conference venue in Gloucester City.
He has recently developed his range of photo short films into art house installation poetic pieces which express or illustrate meaningful experiences of life, which can be seen on his vimeo page.
His current project is to visit the Soloman Islands to extensively photograph its natural landscapes , wildlife , historical features and living culture of wildlife and people. Then compose one or two short films which collectively reflect the experience. He has indicated hes also exploring the use of voice over narratives , natural sounds and perhaps peotry or prose as an enrichment of his short film format.
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Scott Antony's photo travelogue and poem films are demonstrating increasing appeal. Now numbering 33 , the latest is ' Carving Iceland ' a symphonic celebration of Iceland's landscape with stunning photography.
Some of Ken Russell's films have a fascination with mountains and their grandeur . There is also that element of engagement in Scott Antony's photo films of Jasper National Park , and the Highlands of Scotland .
Moreover Scott Antony's poem films ' The Word ' and 'Winter Passing ' have his personal narration , his first performance work since leaving drama at the start of the 1980's . He demonstrably still has narration skills.
His latest photo film , ' Carving Iceland ' along with the poem films ' The Word ' and ' Winter Passing ' are on www.vimeo.com/scottantony (http://www.vimeo.com/scottantony)
edenjon